Thera-Peds provides pediatric Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy in Macomb Township and Richmond, Michigan. Here’s the story of how we got here.
Our Story
Thera-Peds began with two tiny girls, a determined mom, and a dream to make things a little easier for other families.
In 2014, Cathy and her husband, Ryan, opened Thera-Peds with their twin daughters, Mallory and Bridget, at the heart of everything they were building.
Mallory and Bridget were born at just 25 weeks and spent 22 weeks in the NICU. Their journey began with many unknowns, long days, difficult decisions, and a lot of questions. Both girls were diagnosed with cerebral palsy and began receiving therapy while they were still in the NICU.
As a mom, Cathy experienced firsthand what it feels like to navigate the world of pediatric therapy and special needs. She knew how important therapy was for her daughters, but she also understood how overwhelming it could be for a family to know where to turn, what questions to ask, and whether they were making the right choices for their child.
She wanted to create something different.
Cathy dreamed of a place where families felt heard. Where parents felt safe asking questions. Where children were seen for who they are—not simply for their diagnosis. And where therapists truly cared about the child and the family sitting in front of them.
So Cathy made a life-changing decision. She left her job as a juvenile probation officer and opened Thera-Peds.
What started as a small practice built around the needs of her own daughters has grown into a community that has supported thousands of children and families. Thera-Peds opened its second location in Richmond in September 2022, and in 2026, we moved into a larger Macomb location to create more space for our growing therapy family.
But even as we’ve grown, the heart of Thera-Peds has never changed.
Cathy personally hires therapists she would trust with her own children. She looks for people who are not only skilled clinicians, but compassionate, patient, creative, and genuinely invested in the children they serve.
Our philosophy is simple: treat the whole child.
We believe therapy should be about more than working on a skill or checking a box. It’s about getting to know your child—their strengths, personality, interests, challenges, and dreams—and helping them discover what they can do.
And we believe parents and caregivers are an important part of that journey. Our therapists work alongside families, providing practical strategies and tools that can be used at home and in everyday life. Because the best progress happens when we work together.
Cathy knows how deeply parents care about their children because she has lived that journey herself. She knows the worry, the questions, the hope, and the joy that comes with every milestone—big or small.
That personal connection continues to shape everything we do at Thera-Peds.
Mallory and Bridget will always be part of the story of Thera-Peds. Their journey is woven into the reason we are here, the way we care for our families, and our belief that every child deserves to be given the opportunity to grow, learn, connect, and live a happy and fulfilling life.
We are incredibly grateful for every family who has trusted us with their child. It is a privilege we never take for granted.
What began with two little girls changed the course of one family’s life—and grew into a place where countless other families could find support, understanding, and hope.
That is Thera-Peds.
